J.E.Dallas Zither Banjo

SERIAL NUMBER: NONE

John E Dallas, born 1856, died 1921, maker of fine instruments in London England.

In 1873 he set up his workshop and within a couple of years was successfully manufacturing for other brands such as Norton Greenon, W.H.Plumridge, J.E.Brewster and many others.

This rare instrument is a zither banjo- unfortunately little can be found to accurately date this beautiful piece of history but it can be deduced that it is pre 1905 as from this year his 3 sons were brought in as directors and the company name amended to John E Dallas and Sons.

It`s all metal hoops are exquisitely made, and Mr Dallas was a carpentry whiz, so all the woodwork including the impressive carving around the neck area is really something else.

It is in fine condition, plays wonderfully, and the attention to detail everywhere you look is just astonishing.

Mr Dallas was a real craftsman, and proudly tested each and every instrument himself before it left the workshop, so he most probably played this zither banjo himself as part of quality control practised in those days!

His workshop was initially in Oxford street, London, England. He soon moved to larger premises at 415 Strand – these are very expensive areas in the West End (the posh side) and an indication of just how robust the banjo business was back then.

‘Pre war’

$990